kartal denotes wooden bats/clappers sometimes with or without small metal jingles mounted in them, but in east India it denotes small cymbals. In the north and central areas of India the wooden pairs are played in each hand and provide the rhythmic sup­port to devotional songs such as bhajans, kirtan, folk and other light music. The name is derived from the Hindi words kara meaning ‘hand’ and tala meaning ‘clap.’

Dating form the 19th century, this antique wooden percussion instrument is a true find for musicians and collectors alike, boasting a rich history and traditional craftsmanship.